Jimmy Kimmel Gives Austin a Big Kiss—With His Shirt

“I love it here,” Jimmy Kimmel told a packed crowd inside the Austin Convention Center gathered for the city's annual SXSW festival. And he did more than declare his love for the Bat City: he wore it on his sleeve—or rather, his entire shirt.

“What am I wearing? Fort Lonesome," he told the audience during a Q&A portion of the panel, hosted by Kimmel pal and KROQ radio host Kevin Ryder. “This shirt encapsulates the city here.”

And that it does. Besides bearing the city’s capital building, designer Kathie Sever is an entrepreneur who, after working as a mass-production children’s wear designer, decided she wanted to get back to basics. Calling Fort Lonesome a custom heirloom brand, Sever chain-stitches each piece with her trusty machine named Loretta. With her Camp line, she “rescues” discarded and donated garments for refurbishing in a Western style.

Aside from doing his part to showcase local artisans, Kimmel also talked about hosting his show, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, in Austin for the second year in a row.

“The first year we were planning Jimmy Kimmel Live! in Austin, I honestly didn't know if the audience would care,” the talk-show host said. “For the locals, I know there are a lot of negatives about SXSW, what with the crowds and the traffic. They might be thinking, 'The last thing we need is a TV show here.’ But I was thrilled and touched by the response we got last year.” This week’s guests include Kevin Hart, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, and Kanye West.